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SAP Protects its Valuable Innovations
Alexandra Koseva/ Intellectual Property Department at SAP Labs BulgariaNovember 29, 2012
© 2011 SAP AG. All rights reserved. 2
SAP Global IP Locations
Palo Alto Newtown Square
Walldorf
Tel Aviv
Bangalore
Shanghai
SofiaVancouver
© 2011 SAP AG. All rights reserved. 3
What is Intellectual Property?
Creations of the mind
Legal right to control the use of intangible ideas and expressions.
Owner has exclusive rights to the creative work
© 2011 SAP AG. All rights reserved. 4
Types of Intellectual Property (IP)
Patents, What and Why?
© 2011 SAP AG. All rights reserved. 6
Invention, What is it?
© 2011 SAP AG. All rights reserved. 7
A Patent is . . .
A legal document
Granted by a government – EPO, USPTO, etc.
Gives the owner the right to prevent others from
making, using, selling or licensing, offering for sale or license, or importing the claimed invention without
authorization.
Owner must disclose the details of the invention.
Intent is to promote progress by encouraging innovation and public disclosure of advances
© 2011 SAP AG. All rights reserved. 8
Patent valid where?
A Patent is valid only in the country where it
was granted.
Different patent for EU, U.S., Germany,
Japan, India, China, etc.
Patent Examination Process in US
© 2011 SAP AG. All rights reserved. 10
Patent Examination Process in US
Costly! Application preparation ($10K-20K or more) Prosecution before the Patent Office (varies) Patent Office Fees (~$3K + through grant)
Examples of PTO fees Over $1200.00 (Filing, Examination, Search) Over $1700.00 (Issue Fee)
Small entity fee deduction (50% off)
Non-profit, charitable, or small (<500 employees)
© 2011 SAP AG. All rights reserved. 11
Patent Examination Process
LONG!
3 Year Process, often longer
• First substantive “action” 1-2 years from filing
The Examiner
Human process
Could be 30 year veteran or fresh college graduate
Essentially a haggling over whether the CLAIMS are patentable
© 2011 SAP AG. All rights reserved. 12
Patent Practice—Basic Timeline
Conception (date of
invention)
Reduction to Practice
Filing
Restriction
Fist Office Action
Final Office Action
Notice of Allowance
After Allowance
Divisional
Elected Invention
Grant
Issued Patent
Abandonment
Pre-filing Pre-grant , post filing, or ProsecutionPost-Grant or
After Allowance
